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This postseason has been especially painful for me this year. No Yankees. (And if someone just awoke from a 10 year nap, yes, you heard correctly: no Yankees.) I’ve come to grips with what happened this 2013 season with Yankees but have not accepted the fact that Boston is in the World Series. Each of their come from behind wins brought tears to my eyes – and they weren’t happy ones. I was pulling for Donny Baseball (Don Mattingly), my Dad’s favorite player, and the Dodgers but they couldn’t hang on with the seasoned Cardinals.

So what’s the deal? Cards and the Sox have all the makings to be a classic World Series matchup. The bearded freaks from Boston look really good right now. Their bats have slowed, but their pitching has not wavered at all. They’ve had quite a few magical comebacks. They won every which way possible against Detroit and look to do the same against St. Louis. Can they keep it going through 4 more wins?

St. Louis has gotten hot at just the right time- winning 15 of their last 17 regular season games to earn the right to play October baseball. Young closer, Trevor Rosenthal, earned his first save just a few weeks ago and hasn’t lost a gain since. Can he carry the Cardinals to a win in the fall classic?

The World Series marks the start of a fresh seven game series. That’s a long time. Everything up to now has been wiped clean and both teams looks to start better than before. Game 1 went to Boston by a landslide, but I can’t see the Cardinals going down without a fight. Let’s go St. Louis!

I have to admit, just thinking about Mariano Rivera’s retirement brings me to tears. Not only is he the greatest closer of all time, he’s one of the last remnants of the Yankee team who I religiously followed growing up. The beloved Core Four dwindles to one as Mo along with Andy Pettitte (who announced his retirement last week) join Jorge Posada in retirement, leaving Jeter to carry on the legacy for a few more years.

While Pettitte will be missed dearly, his retirement is largely overshadowed by the Exit of Sandman (Mariano’s nickname due to his entry song), who’s final season has been celebrated since Opening Day by all of baseball. The tributes have been unbelievable, with each team presenting Mo with heartwarming farewell gifts as he closed his final game in each stadium. He has gotten everything from rocking chairs made of broken bats, to a Gold Record of Metallica’s “Enter Sandman” , numerous donations to his foundation and even customized cowboy boots. The Red Sox gave him the 42 placard that graced the Fenway Park scoreboard each time he pitched, along with the visitor’s bullpen mound, an old stadium seat (#42) and a performance by the Boston Cello Quartet of “Enter Sandman”. Click here to see all of his retirement gifts.

But of course, the Yankees would not stand to be out done, honoring Mo in a 55 minute ceremony prior to Sunday’s game. It was a perfect good bye to this beloved Yankee. It started with a touching tribute to Jackie Robinson in Monument Park where the Yanks then added 42 to their litany of numbers never to be worn again. Ex-teammates came to celebrate and honor the greatest closer of all time. Metallica performed “Enter Sandman” in the outfield warning track as Mariano walked the walk he’s made so many times to the pitchers mound. The whole thing was beautifully done, bringing back so many memories as Mariano’s Yankee chapter closes.

It will certainly be emotional the last time Mo makes his trip from the bullpen to the pitcher’s mound to close his final game. One thing is for certain, while 42 will never grace a baseball field again, his impact on the game of baseball will live forever. Generation after generation will talk about Mariano Rivera as the greatest closer of all time. I feel lucky to have been able to watch him pitch his entire career. So hats off to Mo, Sandman, the great Mariano Rivera.

It looks like the Yankees will have to finish the race toward October baseball without the Captain. As I’m sure you’ve heard, Derek Jeter will be sitting out his favorite time of year due to a series of injuries that started last fall when he injured his ankle in the ALCS vs. the Tigers. There have been rumors that Jeter should hang it up.

While he only played 17 games this season, Jeter’s presence will certainly be missed by his team and fans alike. I know that personally, watching the race to the playoffs will not be the same without #2 on the field.

Here are 5 reasons why I think Jeter will be missed the most:

1. Flair for the dramatics

Jeter has always been one to make it exciting. Take his 3000th hit for example. Not only did he accomplish a feat only 28 players before him have done, he did it with a home run. He finished the day 5-5, leading the Yankees to a win.

And who could forget when Jeter took flight? Diving into the stands, Jeter ended the 12th inning with an unbelievable play. The Yankees finished the game with a win as Jeter found himself heading to the hospital.

2. Captain Clutch

After many years of proving greatness under pressure, Jeter rightfully earned the nickname of ‘Captain Clutch’. He never fails to deliver in the 11th hour, doing anything to lead the Yanks to a win.

His flip to Posada in the ALDS series in 2001 vs. Oakland will go down in history as one of the best plays in baseball. Mike Mussina was pitching a 1-0 gem with 2 outs in the 7th. The tying run was rounding home as right fielder, Shane Spenser, released a cannon soaring over everyone’s head toward the on deck circle. Jeter came swooping in out of nowhere, grabbed the ball and made a shovel pass landing perfectly in Posada’s glove who simply has to bend down to make the tag. They get the out and the Yanks end up winning the game. Watching the video gives me goosebumps.

3. “Mr. November”

The clock struck 12 and November baseball officially began. And of course, Jeter rang in it with the most dramatic of fashions. He collects another post season home run that lead the Yanks to a crucial Game 4 victory in the 2001 World Series. With this hit, Jeter earned another nickname: Mr. November.

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Although Jeter is not typically regarded as a home run hitter, he’s come up big several times in critical post season moments. In his rookie season, Jeter hit a controversial home run to tie the Orioles in the ’96 ALCS. He broke the tie of Game 4 of the ALCS in 2000 with a 5th inning blast. Later that season, Jeter led off a pivotal Game 3 with a first pitch homer against the Mets in the Subway Series.

4. Yankee Legend

Joe Torre said it best: “It took me 30-something years to get to the World Series. [Jeter] thinks it’s an every-year occurrence. You look in his eyes, you see something special because he’s a leader. He was a leader when he was 20 years old.”

Jeter has been leading the Yankees to postseason wins since he stepped on a Major League field. He’s a bridge from Yankee legends of old and one of the last members of the dynasty years. When he steps up to the plate, Bob Shepard’s voices echoes through the facade of the stadium, representing the last Yankee to be announced by this legendary voice. He’s one of the last of Torre’s soldiers and the closest remain of George Steinbrenner’s legacy and ruthless drive to win.

As much as I hate to admit it, Jeter’s years on the diamond are wearing thin. He has left Yankee fans with no shortage of memorable moments and I have no doubt that there are several more left in him.